Secretaries Shun Bosses` Errands

The notion of secretaries as the equivalent of an office spouse is permanently out to lunch, according to a poll released in advance of today`s Professional Secretaries Day.

More than three-fourths of 750 secretaries polled for the ``Personal Report for the Professional Secretary`` said it is improper to balance checkbooks for bosses or buy personal gifts on their behalf.

``If these questions can even be raised in this day and age, then we are still in the Dark Ages,`` one secretary responded to the poll. ``Secretaries are perceived as non-professionals, lackeys, doormats.``

Others disagreed.

``I feel that if you can`t call on your secretary, whom can you call on?`` one secretary said. ``I have been a secretary-administrative assistant for 15 years, and I have always been at the boss`s side to help with anything I could.``

Some resented what they saw as a misuse of company resources and a secretary`s time, especially by midlevel managers.

``As a single parent who manages to work, go to school, and do my own Christmas shopping, I have very little sympathy for people who can`t budget their time,`` one secretary wrote. ``One of the ways I do this is by not taking on responsibilities that are not mine.``

Still, some bosses are more likely than others to get special treatment. Those bosses tend to ask for rather than expect favors from their secretaries, own a company or have a background of offering bonuses or rewards.

SECRETARY ATTITUDES

WON`T DO

-- 82 percent find it improper to do a boss`s personal gift shopping.

-- 78 percent would refuse to balance a boss`s personal checkbook.

-- 72 percent balk at running personal errands.

-- 72 percent would refuse to help a boss select an interior decorator for his or her home.

-- 60 percent would turn down a request to select flowers for a boss`s spouse as an anniversary present.

WILL DO

-- 96 percent would expend extra effort to find the best travel agent for a boss who travels frequently.

-- 92 percent don`t mind working late on short notice to help at emergency evening meetings -- or even providing refreshments.

-- 89 percent are willing to serve beverages to visiting executives from outside the company.